₦5 Million Bribe Scandal Rocks Police As Promotion-For-Cash Allegations Emerge

Fresh allegations of corruption have surfaced in the Nigerian Police Force, with claims that several senior officers allegedly paid around ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to Sahara Reporters, the allegations are reportedly based on documents obtained from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

An internal police wireless message dated February 23, 2026, is said to confirm the controversial promotions.

The message, referenced SH.4700/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.3/40, indicated that the promotions were approved following communication from the Police Service Commission.

“Promotion Senior Officers x CSP to ACP x Ref Polscom Letnos. PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 31/07/2025 and PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 05/08/2025 x Ingenpol has graciously approved the release of promotion of the under-listed CSPs to substantive rank of ACP x with effect from the date indicated against their names,” the message read.

Circulated across various police departments and commands nationwide, the directive also instructed authorities to formally acknowledge the promotions.

“Convey Ingenpol’s hearty congratulation to the affected senior officers x Gazette and Force Order publications to follow x Please,” the document added.

Eight officers were listed as recipients of the promotion from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP: Ibrahim Tijani Umaira, Mohammed Amini, Usman Abdul Dimka, Iwok Ndifere, Mohammed I. Musa, Jimoh Shittu, Muhammad S. Ibrahim, and Promise Wosu.

The document stated that the promotions took effect between July 28 and August 5, 2025.

However, sources within the police hierarchy alleged that the promotions were influenced by payments to officials at the Police Service Commission rather than being strictly merit-based.

“The Police Service Commission secretly released this promotion under former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,” said a senior police officer familiar with the situation.

The source claimed that each officer allegedly paid about ₦5 million to secure the promotion.

“These are new special promotions secretly done under Egbetokun. There are allegations that these men paid ₦5 million to get ACP rank while their course mates are left unpromoted,” the source added.

The reports have reportedly caused unrest within the force, with some officers expressing dissatisfaction after being overlooked despite meeting the requirements for promotion.

“This has created serious tension within the force because many officers who are qualified were ignored while others suddenly jumped ranks,” another insider said.